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2010 Season - Hansen, Mago & Perschnick to play in Mexico

Senior Drew Hansen will join two teammates (seniors Johnny Mago and Curt Perschnick) as well as former head coach Jim Barnes, as members of the United States NCAA Division III All-Stars in the 2010 Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) on December 18in Mexico.

Three Augustana senior football players have been selected to play in the 2010 Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) on Saturday, December 18 on the Tec de Monterrey Campus Estado de Mexico, it was announced today. In addition, former Viking head coach Jim Barnes, who resigned on November 23 after a successful 11 year run as head coach, has been named as an assistant coach.

Bill Manlove, who enjoyed an outstanding coaching career at several NCAA Division III schools, most notably Widener University, will be the head coach. He has selected a unit that will consist exclusively of NCAA Division III all-stars and Team USA will play the CONADEIP All-Stars on Saturday, December 18. This is the second year that this game replaces the old Aztec Bowl, which was sponsored by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Mago, Hansen and Perschnick will join their teammates (all former NCAA Division III standouts) on December 13 and will practice at the Tec Monterrey (CEM) facility in Atizapan de Zaragoze near Mexico City.

Tec Monterrey is the premier private university system in Mexico with campuses in numerous locations around the country. Tec teams have captured eight of the past 10 Liga Major football national championships. The Mexican team will be selected from the newly formed CONADEIP League, a national conference of private schools including the Monterrey Tec campuses.

Mago was the ringleader of the Augustana defense this year from his middle linebacker post. He led the team in tackles with 114 (54 solos and 60 assists). He had 11 tackles for losses totaling 40 yards, three quarterback sacks for 22 yards and one interception. He was a first team all-conference selection and he also earned first team ESPN Academic All-American honors just last week. He finished the year second in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin in tackles.

Perschnick, a converted tight end, wound up second on the team in total tackles with 58 (27 solo and 31 assists). He had 11 tackles for losses of 45 yards with five quarterback sacks for 29 yards, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one pass deflection. He was eighth in the conference in tackles for loss and ninth in quarterback sacks. He was a first team all-conference performer.

Hansen, a team captain along with Mago, was a starter for at least part of each of his four years at Augustana. He was a season-long starter the last three years. He helped the Vikings make the successful transition from the wing-T that they ran for over 30 years to the spread offense now employed. He was an integral part of the protection package for school-record setting quarterback David Lee. Hansen was a second team all-conference pick this past year.

Barnes compiled a record of 79-34 (.699) in 11 seasons as the head coach at his alma mater. His teams went 56-21 (.727) in the CCIW and won league titles in 2001, 05 & 06. The Vikings went to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2001 & 2005. He will coach the offensive backs for the Division III All-Stars.